Cleveland Officials and Residents Meet Today to Discuss Future of Vacated School Buildings

Community Listening Session Targets CMSD Building Reuse

The City of Cleveland is hosting a critical community listening session today, Thursday, February 5, 2026, to gather public input on the future of several vacant school buildings. The session, which is scheduled to run from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., will be held at the Collinwood Neighborhood Resource and Recreation Center on Lakeshore Boulevard. This meeting marks the beginning of a month-long series of public engagements designed to determine the long-term use of properties following the Cleveland Metropolitan School District’s (CMSD) decision to consolidate its footprint.

In December, the school board voted unanimously to shutter 18 buildings, reducing the district’s operations to 59 schools. Today’s session focuses specifically on the local impacts for neighborhoods near the Miles, Charles Dickens, and Adlai Stevenson schools. Mayor Justin Bibb has emphasized that the administration is seeking a "robust process" of community input to ensure these facilities do not become blighted or fall into the hands of what he described as "reckless charters." Instead, the city is exploring the potential for converting these sites into walkable mixed-use spaces, including affordable housing, green space, and retail hubs.

Mayor’s Vision for Urban Redevelopment

Mayor Bibb has cited the redevelopment of the former JFK High School in the Lee-Harvard neighborhood as a template for what the city hopes to achieve with the upcoming vacancies. At a prior town hall meeting, the Mayor indicated that the city would eventually issue formal requests for development proposals (RFPs) for each vacated site. Key agenda items for today's session include:

• Evaluating community needs for housing and commercial services in the Collinwood area.
• Discussing the potential for green space and community centers in place of older structures.
• Addressing concerns regarding the security and maintenance of buildings during the transition period.
• Providing a timeline for when the Request for Proposals process will officially open to developers.

Cuyahoga County Board Updates Policy on Artificial Intelligence

While the city focuses on real estate, the Cuyahoga County Board of Developmental Disabilities (CCDD) also concluded a significant session today. The board moved to unanimously adopt the 2026 Policy Manual, which notably includes new regulations regarding the implementation and use of generative artificial intelligence within county services. The plan aims to use AI to reduce processing delays for disability services, though board members noted that specific ethical guidelines and security protocols were revised during the meeting to ensure data privacy for residents.

Recent Legislative Context

Today’s activities follow a busy week for Cleveland leadership. Earlier this week, the Cleveland City Council passed an emergency resolution officially opposing proposed state legislation that would require local agencies to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement. Council members and the Mayor’s office have maintained a unified front, stating that city resources should remain focused on local public safety rather than federal civil immigration matters. Today's sessions represent a continued focus on neighborhood-level issues as the administration navigates a complex legislative and developmental calendar for the 2026 fiscal year.